What chemicals are typically used in the suspended solids test?

The correct answer indicates that typically no chemicals are required for the suspended solids test. This test is primarily a physical measurement that involves filtering a known volume of water through a filter of specified porosity to capture suspended solids. After the water is filtered, the residue is dried and weighed to determine the concentration of suspended solids in the sample. The method itself is based on the physical separation of solids from the liquid phase, rather than a chemical reaction or process that utilizes specific chemicals.

In standard practice, while various chemical reagents might be used in different laboratory tests for water quality, the suspended solids test does not necessitate the addition of chemicals to the sample being analyzed. Instead, it relies purely on mechanical filtration and weight measurement to quantify the amount of particulate matter suspended in the water sample. This approach underscores the test's reliance on physical properties rather than chemical analysis, which is why the answer indicates that no chemicals are involved in this specific procedure.